All models of Onewheel electric skateboards are being recalled by Future Motion following reports of four deaths and multiple serious injuries. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall notice for the self-balancing skateboards, urging users to stop using them due to the risk of crashes that can result in severe harm or even death. The deaths were attributed to head trauma, with at least three of the victims not wearing helmets. Injuries associated with the skateboards included traumatic brain injury, concussion, paralysis, fractures, and ligament damage.
Initially, Future Motion resisted a recall when the Consumer Product Safety Commission first issued a warning to customers in November. The commission determined that the Onewheel products can cause riders to be ejected, resulting in serious injury or death. However, Future Motion is now cooperating with the recall and plans to address the safety issues with a firmware update that utilizes an alert system called “haptic buzz.” This update will be available in a few weeks and will only apply to certain Onewheel models.
Both Future Motion and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission emphasized the importance of wearing personal safety equipment while using the skateboards. In response to the recall, CNN reached out to Future Motion for further comment.
